Deprax, what is it used for and what are its side effects?

Deprax is a second generation antidepressant medication. Its active ingredient is trazodone and it is used to treat chronic depression, insomnia and anxiety states. Thus, and although the advantage of this psychotropic drug is undoubtedly in its more or less rapid action, we cannot leave aside those side effects that, as always, must be taken into account.

Trazodone (whose commercial name in Spain is Deprax) has been with us for almost 60 years. It was discovered and developed commercially in Italy in 1961, when an attempt was made to find another therapeutic alternative, another so-called second-generation drug that acted as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). The result was this capsule, generally pink in color, so prescribed until not long ago.

The manufacturer usually points out in the package insert its main benefit: its effectiveness during the first week of administration. Likewise, another fact is also added that many patients were looking for at a certain time, namely, using an antidepressant drug that would not promote weight gain.

On the other hand, in addition to these supposed virtues, one more could be highlighted, one that made Deprax one of the best-selling medications during the 70s and 80s: it was one of the most economical medications.

Now, something that became evident in those early years was one of its main side effects: orthostatic hypotension (a drop in blood pressure when the person stands up). Little by little, Tradone was found to be much more effective and safer in smaller doses. This adjustment has allowed it to continue helping us effectively in the treatment of various conditions to this day.

Deprax, what is it administered for?

Something that neurologists and psychiatrists tell us is that the brain is much more complicated than we think. To this day we still do not know how antidepressants really work, and it is not always possible to predict which type of drug is 100% most suitable for each patient.

So, Deprax, despite having been in our market for almost six decades, continues to have defenders and detractors. There are those who warn of its side effects, often unpredictable. However, there is no shortage of studies that reveal its great effectiveness in different disorders.

Let us now see in what clinical conditions Deprax is usually prescribed.

Clinical depression with or without anxiety.Chronic insomnia.Excessive worry.Fibromyalgia accompanied by serious problems falling asleep. Nightmares and other sleep disorders.Schizophrenia.Alcoholism.

In addition, It should be noted that Deprax has shown, according to several studies, great usefulness in patients with post-traumatic stress.. All those people who showed insomnia, nightmares and high anxiety associated with a trauma, on average show good improvement with this drug.

How does Deprax work?

As we have pointed out, Deprax is a second generation drug, that is, it acts as an antagonist and serotonin reuptake inhibitor. However, What differentiates this medication from Prozac, for example, is that we are dealing with a chemical compound from the phenylpiperazine family..

This translates into some advantages and other disadvantages. The benefit is that it is a 5-HT receptor inhibitor. This means that its action in treating anxiety and depression is high.

However, What it also does is block alpha adrenergic receptors and serotonin transport proteins.. All of this can lead to a very wide range of side effects, although they are not very serious.

How is Deprax administered?

The doses of Deprax will depend on each patientso the administration instructions indicated by the treating physician must be strictly followed.

In general, The prescribed dose is 100 to 150 mg per day orally., divided into several doses after meals or as a single dose before bed. However, the dose can be increased gradually up to a maximum of 400 mg per day.

Increases in doses will vary depending on the case and until the doctor has identified the best effect for the patient.. Hence the importance of professional assistance.

For its part, when stopping treatment with Deprax, The doctor will gradually reduce the dose until it is low enough for the patient to stop taking it.. This is very important, since the drug should not be stopped suddenly, as it can cause nausea, headache and a feeling of general malaise.

Side effects of Deprax

There are patients who take Deprax without experiencing any side effects. Other people, however, usually show some problem, some alteration that can generally be due to other conditions (certain diseases, interaction with other drugs or foods, etc.).

Thus, something that should be taken into account is that This drug is not recommended for people with liver, heart or kidney problems.

Besides, It cannot be taken in combination with other sedatives, heart drugs, antibiotics, anticoagulants or even natural medicine drugs such as St. John’s wort.. We must follow every indication from the doctors to the letter.

Let’s see now what they are the main side effects.

Fluid retention. Constipation or diarrhea.Dry mouth.Rashes and itchy skin.Sweating and tremors.Feeling of confusion, restlessness… Tachycardia. Headache.Blurry vision.Loss of appetite and weight loss. Flu-like symptoms.Feeling drowsy or sleepy, tired.Nausea, vomiting or indigestion. Pain in the extremities, back, muscles or joints. Nightmares.

If the patient begins to experience any type of side effect, it is best to consult his or her doctor.; even if you experience any other unusual symptoms that have not been mentioned above.

Contraindications and recommendations

Generally, Deprax is contraindicated in people who have a history of heart, kidney or liver problems. Likewise, its use in children and adolescents is not recommended, as there is still not enough evidence about the way in which the medication can affect cognitive maturation and development in children.

Besides, It is recommended to avoid its use in pregnant women Therefore, although it does not seem to affect the development and growth of the fetus, it is still pertinent to carry out more research on its effects on postnatal development. For this reason, it is also recommended that nursing mothers discontinue its use or, if this is not possible, consider the possibility of not breastfeeding the baby.

Furthermore, taking into account that this drug can cause sedation and dizziness, it is not rec It is recommended that after using it, activities that require concentration and reflexes are carried out.such as driving, operating heavy machinery, or performing complex calculations.

To conclude, it is worth mentioning that in Nowadays we already have newer, safer drugs with fewer secondary symptoms.. However, options like Deprax remain common in psychiatric practice for a reason: when what we have are patients with concomitant depressions, that is, those that are accompanied by anxiety, insomnia, nightmares and psychological discomfort, this medication is one of the most effective.

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